Fort Mill Yellow Jackets trio solidify college choices

A trio of Fort Mill Yellow Jackets made their college choices official Thursday as part of the school’s signing day.

Ryan Heriot, Newberry College

Heriot signed with Newberry over Guilford College, which also courted the three-year varsity player and All-State safety/running back.

“When I went there it was a good experience,” Heriot said. “I like the way the football program is going. Everybody got along. You could tell it felt like home.”

Heriot led Fort Mill this past season with 501 yards rushing and six touchdowns on the ground. He also was tied for the lead in passes caught with 29 catches for 403 yards and a touchdown. On defense, Heriot was third on the team with 61 tackles and had two interceptions as well.

Heriot has also played varsity basketball at Fort Mill for two years. He plans on majoring in sports management at Newberry.

Emily Ambrose, University of West Florida

Ambrose, 17, had set her sights on the Pensacola, Fla., school for several years now, overlooking every other offer.

“It really came down to me going back home,” she said. “I was raised there and I have family there. It is going back to my roots. This was my number one school. West Florida was where I was meant to be.”

Ambrose has been the Jackets’ starting goalie for the past two seasons and has played on the Charlotte Soccer Academy for the past five years on a national level. She has even traveled to Barcelona, Spain, to play soccer.

Madelyne Reilly, Charleston Southern University

Reilly, 18, has been playing soccer at Fort Mill High and on the club level for years.

She also plays for the Carolina Elite club out of Greenville and has traveled the country to different showcases to compete. She has played with the Carolina Rapids in the North Carolina Premier Championship and the Charlotte Soccer Academy North Carolina State Cup Championship.

Reilly looked at Furman University, North Greenville University and Campbell University before deciding on Charleston Southern.

“I love Charleston and the city,” she said. “I fell in love with the school. I loved the program and the coaches are great.”